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So you have this event coming up for your club, and you’re totally engrossed in picking a host, sending in all of the paperwork, contacting all the right people for permission, buying decorations, and the list goes on and on. It’s so easy to get caught up in the brunt of the work to forget what may be the pass or fail of your event: ADVERTISING.

If you don’t assign someone to be in charge of advertisements and “getting the word out” about your club, it won’t happen. Though you may get lucky and have an advertising-conscious member of your board, there is a pretty large chance that if you forget about it – everyone else will too.

Advertising for an event takes time and planning. Make posters, get approval, hang posters, send emails, and etc. If you don’t advertise for your event, no one will know about it. If no one knows about it the only people at your event will be those of you who planned it. A failed event may mean a monetary loss – which is most likely the opposite of the event’s original purpose.

And the best way to advertise, is EARLY. The longer you advertise, the more opportunities people have to find out about your event.

With successful advertising, you get numbers. Event population is important and not to be forgotten.

This leadership position you’ve taken on requires strength of will, strength of convictions and, most importantly, strength of character. Your values help define you as a leader and as a person. And your character is who you are and how you act, even when no one is looking. So what’ll it be? What is the essence of your character now and what would you like it to be? As you carve out your character, as a person and as a student leader, consider the following:

¨ Good Intentions Alone Don’t Cut It: You may have the best of intentions yet, if your multiple promises go unfulfilled, that’s what will be remembered. Don’t promise so much that you’re unable to follow through on your good intentions.

¨ You Need to Act: Wishful thinking and good intentions alone aren’t enough. Put them into action. That’s what exhibits your true character.

¨ Let Your Values Be Your Guide: If something feels wrong, it probably is—at least for you. Your values have been your guiding force for many years, so don’t abandon them now!

¨ It’s the Big AND the Little Things: How you act under pressure during major decision periods speaks to your character. So, too, does how you act on an everyday basis. Your character impacts the person you choose to be, when others are around and when no one else is watching.

Servant-leaders listen in as many ways as possible. They observe what people are doing, conduct informal interviews, formal interviews, surveys, discussion groups, and focus groups. They use suggestion boxes. They are always asking, listening, watching, and thinking about others and what they can learn from them. By listening, leaders are able to identify the needs of their colleagues, and that puts them in a good position to meet those needs. When you’re in a leadership role, it is paramount. Remember the people who put you in the leadership role, and be sure to listen to them. This will put your club on a path to success- everyone will feel like their needs are validated and perform to a higher level.

So ask yourself this: do others believe that you want to hear their ideas and will value them? Remember to work on being receptive to others. Show that you are genuinely interested in their views and input. By listening first you’ll be making your club a stronger community.

Community Engagement grants are now available. Contact Steph Reif, Vice President for Community Service, for more information.

It all starts with an idea. A thought, if you will, of something you enjoy. That idea/thought is something you think about doing. Then you think “It’s too much work”, “No one will like it” or “It is simply impossible.” Then, one day as you are talking to a friend you bring up this thought/idea that you have been thinking about. That friend becomes interested and likes that idea and begins discussing this thought/idea in more detail with you.

Now you’re really thinking: if you and your friend like this idea, then there is a great chance that there are others that would be interested and like the same idea!

So you have a choice:
A) Ignore this potential awesome idea and move on with your life.
OR
B) Pursue the idea and see you where it takes you.

I hope you do not hesitate to answer. The answer is indeed B!

Everything that is awesome has started with an idea.

Take Walt Disney for example.

Disney had the idea of a cartoon mouse and pursued his idea. It took planning and hard work but Mickey Mouse was introduced to society and is the most recognized mouse on the planet.

Pursue your idea for a club, event or activity. At times, it may seem hard, stressful or even out of reach, but trust me: you can do it. And who knows, maybe this idea can go down in history.

For a CHC example: Two students, who were music-education majors, had the idea of having a student-run musical. With the help of friends, teachers, and many hours of hard work, they directed the first ever student-run musical “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.” This idea has been carried on for 4 years now and continues to be a great addition to campus life.

I encourage you to pursue your ideas because it will improve upon your leadership skills, help you see the “behind the scenes” in events, and meet new people.

“Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” – William Shakespeare

Whether or not you’re a Shakespeare fan you must admit that good old Billy knew one thing: Leadership may be something you have inside of you, something you work hard to earn, or something you find yourself doing without ever realizing you picked it. And no matter how you come to leadership, you have an equal chance of success.

Although you may find yourself in a leadership position with no idea how you got there, chances are that you worked your way up to it first. If you want to become a leader in a club or activity, here’s my advice on getting there.

First, become an active club member.

If you never go to any meetings and you don’t show up to events who is going to think you even like the club? And while you’re at events and meetings – do your part. Offer ideas, help with set up and clean up; show that you’re interested and that you care.

Second, ask officers if they need extra help with anything – a little job you can do to show some of your capabilities. If they are desperate for help, they will really appreciate it.

Third – Be on time. If you are consistently late for things then people will think that (A) you don’t care that much and (B) you’re irresponsible. If you are late – even by a minute – be sure to apologize sincerely.

If the time for new officer elections comes around and you haven’t already been asked to run or been nominated – tell people you want to run. Don’t be too shy about it and lose the opportunity.

If from here you don’t succeed, try and try again. Eventually, all of your hard work will pay off.